Wang Guangying, vice-chairman of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama heading the Japanese delegation attended the closing ceremony.

More than 1,000 players and coaches were involved in the two-day friendly competition which marked the 30th forging anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and aimed to promote exchanges and friendship among youngsters.

Murayama said that Japan and China had overcome many difficulties and maintained their friendly relations in the past three decades.

The competition has increased mutual understanding and enhanced friendship between the young generations of the two countries, he said.

(People's Daily August 7, 2002)